Johnny Cash Limited Edition<br>Signature Guitar Unveiled

Release Date: 07/29/97
Source: Press Release

Johnny Cash, one of country music's most distinctive figures, and The Martin Guitar Company are proud to introduce the D-42JC Johnny Cash Limited Edition Signature Model, a collaboration between the respected "Man in Black" and Martin. The Johnny Cash Limited Edition Guitar will be available from Martin dealers throughout the world. The edition will be limited to a maximum of 200 guitars, each numbered in sequence and personally signed by Johnny Cash and C. F. Martin, IV, Martin's chairman and CEO.

Johnny Cash , the youngest performer ever inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, is also in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Although he starts every concert with the words, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," This is one artist who needs little introduction. Cash is one of the most recognizable and respected figures in country music and is acknowledged to be one of the biggest stars the industry has ever produced. Throughout his long career, Johnny Cash has shown tremendous loyalty to Martin guitars. His favorites include the first black guitar ever crafted by Martin, Cash's custom D-35 made in 1989. He also plays a Martin Bicentennial Limited Edition (#375) and a custom D-45 made in 1982 and signed by both C. F. Martin, III, and C. F. Martin, IV.

The Johnny Cash Limited Edition Guitar is the first all-black limited edition ever offered by Martin. Hand-crafted entirely of solid woods, this D-42JC is a 14-fret Dreadnought with high performance forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing. The three piece back is made of East Indian Rosewood with Martin style 45 multi-colored back inlay strips. The neck shape was inspired by the Hank Williams/Johnny Cash D-45. The fingerboard is genuine ebony and is inlaid with abalone stars, delicately bordered with mother-of-pearl. The rosette and the perimeter of the body are bordered with highly colorful style 42 abalone pearl inlay. Johnny Cash's signature will be inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Johnny Cash Limited Edition Guitars will be donated to The Carter Family Memorial Music Center.

A native of Kingsland, Arkansas, Johnny Cash began playing the guitar and writing songs in the 1950s while serving in the Air Force. His hits include such favorites as "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "A Boy Named Sue." Widely known for his prison performances and songs, Cash has won three Grammy Awards. He is married to singing partner June Carter.

Martin Guitar dealers will begin to take orders for the Johnny Cash Limited Edition Guitars immediately, though due to heavy demand for Martin instruments, this edition will not appear in stores until early 1998.